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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Aug. 21 ... Family of firefighter who died in crash sues for $5 million ... 'Doc' to all ... Emergency services, Aug. 21 ... Family of firefighter who died in crash sues for $5 million ... 'Doc' to all ... BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Four generations of Rogue Valley women to tackle 60-mile walk to fight breast cancer Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 20, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 20, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Four generations of Rogue Valley women are heading to Seattle next month to walk as much as they can during a 60-mile "Susan G. Komen 3-Day" to raise money to fund research and treatment of breast cancer. While Central Point resident Ruby Mills, 83, never has been diagnosed with cancer, she and her husband, Vess, can hardly think of a close relation who has not been impacted by the disease. Having lost a mother and grandmother, among others, Mills said her call to action came when her two daughters were diagnosed with breast cancer within eight weeks of one another two years ago. "One was diagnosed in December 2013, and one was in January 2014, so it was a real shock. It changed my whole outlook on life," Mills said. "I already have two sisters who are survivors, but a grandmother was not a survivor. I basically never knew a grandmother because of breast cancer, and I lost my mother young. I don't remember much because I was only 5 years old, but I believe that she died of cancer, too." Mills, who was born in Oklahoma, moved west as a child and came to Oregon in the mid-1950s, estimates she and her husband have at least 30 extended family members who have or had cancer. "And my husband is on the list of cancer survivors for our family, too," she added. "So many family members who have battled, and some who have lost. Isn't that motivation enough to want to do something about it?" she said. Walking with the Rogue Valley Walkers, Ruby likely will use a walker to tackle a portion of the 60-mile trek alongside daughter Betty Lake, granddaughter Laura Drew and great-granddaughters Aspen Drew and Anna Lake. To meet their goal, the group has fundraised via bake sales and a numerous other methods to raise their $2,300 fee per person. Mills' other daughter, Washington resident Dottie Cornelius, will walk with a team from Orcas Island, Wash., for the ninth time. Betty Lake, a Central Point resident, said the walk is "a family thing" and one small way her family can honor the memories of those lost and those who have battled. "That was ... a shock for my mom, and very surreal, for two of her five children to be diagnosed after so many other family members have had it, so this has been a way for our family to come together and do something," said Lake. "We are four generations of strong women who are participating in this walk for the cure of breast cancer. Our previous generations battled this disease and lost. ... This generation battled the disease and won. We are walking in hopes that the next generation doesn't have to battle at all." Being 83, Mills said she will go as far as she can. But her biggest focus has been on fundraising and joining forces with four generations of women in her family "to stand and fight against a disease that has affected my entire life." "Anybody who knows me knows I am not going to be able to walk all 60 miles, but I want to do my part, and I've raised my money, which is the important part," she said. "The walk is symbolic. It's not about how many steps I can go. It's about thousands of people coming together to stand in honor of the ones who did not survive. It's about the family members who are there with us and the ones who didn't get to be." "We need a cure," Mills said. "And while we're waiting for a cure, we at least need better treatment options, because there are too many lives being lost and too much heartache because of this awful, awful disease." On Sunday, 20 percent of proceeds from sales at The Original Roadhouse Grill, 2699 W. Main St., Medford, will be donated to their team. Customers must present a printed copy of a flier about the Rogue Valley Walkers to ensure the donation. To find the flier, go here . Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 20, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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